Welcome 

His clothes reeked of cigarette fumes.

The foul odor of his breath engulfed me

as he spoke and sat down next to me.

How could a visitor come to church

smelling so bad?

I wanted to move, but I didn’t.

Is that how You felt, Lord,

When I first came into Your presence,

the stench of the world upon me?

When I spoke, did the offensive odor

of my soul make You sick?

Thank You, Lord,

for accepting me as I was—

a smelly newcomer.

And thank You for not moving.

                                                           KITTY CHAPPELL

                                                           Copyright 1988